In the first leg, Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 1–0. Most people believed Real Madrid should be able to win at home, or at the very least preserve their first-leg advantage without much trouble.
But after four key players were either injured or suspended, Real Madrid's situation began to change.
Most people still believed Real Madrid could win, as could be seen from the pre-match odds. However, the difficulty of the match still exceeded everyone's expectations, especially Atletico Madrid's tenacity.
Although Real Madrid were missing four key players, their lineup remained formidable. Other than Mascherano, their midfield and attack consisted entirely of technical players: Isco, Toni Kroos, Hazard, and James Rodríguez.
Marcelo was suspended on the left, while Azpilicueta focused mainly on defense. However, this allowed Carvajal on the right to push forward and join the attack more freely, while James Rodríguez also proactively gave up the flank.
It could be said that Real Madrid had controlled the tempo and possession from the very beginning.
Atletico Madrid had clearly learned from conceding a goal just three minutes into the first leg. Playing away at the Bernabéu in the second leg, they became more cautious and steadier at the start, giving Real Madrid few opportunities.
A week earlier, the best player in the first leg had been Oblak. Aside from Yang Yang's opening goal, the young goalkeeper had been nearly flawless, making high saves and low saves alike and repeatedly neutralizing Real Madrid's attacks.
At the Bernabéu, Oblak's performance was no weaker than it had been in the first leg.
After kickoff, Real Madrid's first attack immediately created danger. After receiving Carvajal's pass, James Rodríguez sent a superb Through Ball Behind. Yang Yang quickly beat the offside trap and charged forward, then shot from a tight angle on the right side